A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, and two others in the sum of ₦100 million with two sureties.
According to the Vanguard, the defendants are facing trial over an alleged ₦2.7 billion fraud.
The court, presided over by Justice Oriji, ordered that the sureties must have landed properties in Abuja and be responsible citizens. They must also depose to an affidavit of means.
The defendants are also restricted from travelling abroad without the court’s permission.
If the defendants fail to meet their bail conditions, they will be remanded in prison custody.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had taken Sirika into custody in April and grilled him for days before slamming a six-count charge on him, his daughter, and two others.
The EFCC accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on some entities between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja, and abusing his office by awarding a ₦1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
The agency also alleged that Sirika used his position to influence the award of a contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport to his daughter and son-in-law’s company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, for the sum of ₦1,498,300,750.
The actions, according to the EFCC, are contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The case is ongoing.
